Media Release

Kevin Butler, 21, and Kimberly Linder, 18, both of McCall, Idaho, checked out of their Kona hotel on Friday (May 24) and told family members they planned to camp in a tent in a valley. Four days later, Butler’s relative received a disturbing phone call from someone who claimed to have Butler.

Butler is described as 6-feet tall, 175 pounds with an athletic build, brown short hair and hazel eyes. He has a scar on his shoulder.

Linder is described as 5-foot-4, 130 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. She has a tattoo on her right foot that says, “Walking with God.”

Police ask that anyone with information on their whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.